In one of my recent emails to my sister, I presented the truth that our life these days revolves around Vale's schedule--not ours. Vale is a fair student; he has all the smarts and talent to be a straight A student, but he has many other interests: video games, writing scripts and making movies for youtube, his electric guitar, and sports. Right now, the sport is basketball. He doesn't know all the intricacies of the game, but he can leap down the court in about four giant steps; he knows his position is under the basket, and he knows how to rebound. Vale hasn't played organized basketball since third grade, so he's on the Blended/JV team. They've had two games and skunked their opponents both times. In the last game, Vale had four baskets.

As to the rest of the family, we're aging at the appropriate rate and are still enjoying our senior citizen status. Tom fell on the ice a few months ago and hasn't been able to do all of his favorite projects. The fall stirred up something in his shoulder and ice packs, therapy, and strength-building three-times-a-day exercises haven't seemed to be effective, so this week, he gets to start the MRI/specialist routine to see what the next step will be. Tom, being the family worker bee, has voluntarily become our housekeeper and keeps the house neat as a pin. In addition to being Vale's chauffeur, homework monitor, housekeeper, cook, etc, etc, I have also become Darla's employee in her home medical billing business. I like being able to work at 3am in my pajamas and fuzzy slippers if I see fit, and I like the little nest egg I'm building for my old age. Astro is still chasing birds and squirrels, but they're all wise to him and don't take him too seriously.

Besides our immediate family, the other children seem to be doing well. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren are growing up in spite of our desires to keep them little and cute and innocent just a little longer. The adults have active busy lives. Grandma is hanging in there. All is well...all is well. Love to You All...Mom